AI Cheating: How Tech Made School Easier, But Harder to Grow Out Of

A New York City high school senior describes how AI tools have transformed education, detailing how students use ChatGPT and similar AI to cheat on assignments, class discussions, and even debate competitions. While schools employ anti-cheating measures, students constantly find ways around them. The article argues that AI not only enables cheating but also undermines the urgency of learning and student initiative, fostering reliance on external validation rather than internal growth, ultimately producing a generation lacking independent thought and problem-solving skills. The author suggests reforming assessment methods—oral exams, personalized writing assignments, and project-based grading—to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.